The Billshiring of KathrynSmith wasn’t made to steal headlines. As Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News writes, the team added Smith because they believed she’d help improve the squad. “I hired Kathryn because I believe she’s going to do a tremendous job,” said coach RexRyan. “The reason that I think she’s going to do a tremendous job is it starts with everything else. Just like with any profession, you’ve got to have a work ethic, you’ve got to have a passion for it…And I just like the way she is. She’s really all about the team – how she can help and all that. Regardless of the job we’ve asked her to do, she’s done a tremendous job in that and exceeded, I think, what we thought she would do.”

Before Ryan hiredEd Reed as the Bills assistant defensive backs coach, the head coach had brought the future Hall of Famer to the Jets. Ryan noticed the way Reed interacted with the younger players, an indication that the safety would make an excellent coach. “And from Day One he walked in, he was trying to make players better,” Ryan told Carucci. “And they knew it and they followed him. I mean, it was the Pied Piper. They just followed him. He took them to film after (practice). His thing was about the preparation after you leave the practice field. We played a lot better. He did a tremendous job.”

If Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas wants a trade, Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer believes the organization should grant his request. However, the writer notes that the team could use the nine-time Pro Bowler, so they should do everything in their power to convince him to stay.

If DuronCarter decides to return to the Canadien Football League, he’ll sign a deal to remain with the Alouettes, reports Gary Lawless of TSN (via Twitter). Carter, the son of Hall of Famer Cris, briefly spent time on the Colts practice squad this season.

]]>1Coaching Notes: Bills, Browns, Titans, Cowboyshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/01/coaching-notes-bills-browns-titans-cowboys
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/01/coaching-notes-bills-browns-titans-cowboys#commentsFri, 22 Jan 2016 01:06:11 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=24135KathrynSmith made history earlier this week, being named the Bills quality control-special teams coach. Today, she released a statement regarding the new gig (via Buffalo Bills PR on Twitter):

“I would like to thank Rex Ryan, Kim and Terry Pegula and the Buffalo Bills franchise for this opportunity.

“I am excited to continue to work with out special teams coordinator Danny Crossman, special teams assistant Eric Smith and our entire coaching staff and players as we prepare for the 2016 NFL season.

“The amount of attention generated from this announcement in the past 24 hours has been extraordinary, however, my focus remains on my job responsibilities and helping the team win.

“I would like to thank my family and friends for all their support. It’s a tremendous honor to become the first full-time female assistant coach in the National Football League and I appreciate Rex Ryan giving me this opportunity based on the merit of my work and commitment to this organization.”

Let’s take a look at some more coaching notes from around the league…

RobRyan turned down “coordinating jobs” to join his brother, Rex, and the Bills, tweets Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News.

The Browns have hired former Titans defensive backs coach LouieCioffi for the same coaching position, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Cioffi was on the Browns coaching staff in 2013.

There are some differing reports regarding the future of Titans assistant defensive line coach NickEason. Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (via Twitter) that Eason will join the Browns in an unspecified role. However, Marvez tweets that Eason will instead by promoted by the Titans and become their defensive-line coach.

ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure hears that Cowboys secondary coach JeromeHenderson may be joining the Falcons coaching staff (Twitter link). Henderson will reportedly be in Atlanta tomorrow for an interview. McClure notes that while Atlanta’s current defensive backs coach, MarquandManuel, interviewed to be the Jaguars defensive coordinator, it would appear he’s staying put.

]]>1Coaching Notes: Bills, Bucs, Jags, Texanshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/01/coaching-notes-bills-bucs-jags-texans-colts
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/01/coaching-notes-bills-bucs-jags-texans-colts#commentsThu, 21 Jan 2016 01:05:47 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=24097The Bills have made a groundbreaking hire, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, as they’ve named Kathryn Smith a special teams quality control coach. Smith is the NFL’s first-ever full-time female assistant coach. She previously served in lesser roles under Rex Ryan with both the Jets and Bills.

Regarding Smith’s hiring, Ryan said, “She has proven that she’s ready for the next step, so I’m excited and proud for her” (Twitter link via The Buffalo News’ Tyler Dunne).

Other coaching news from around the NFL . . .

New Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter will call the team’s offensive plays, but he still plans to hire an O-coordinator (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times).

The Jaguars expect to have a defensive coordinator in place by Monday, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. The front-runner for the job is defensive line coach Todd Wash, per O’Halloran (Twitter link). As PFR’s Coordinator Tracker shows, Jacksonville has also shown interest in some currently available outside candidates, having interviewed Jerome Henderson, Marquand Manuel and Lou Anarumo for the job.

In other Jaguars news, assistant coach coach Doug Marrone will return for a second season with the club, per O’Halloran. Marrone interviewed for four different head coaching vacancies in recent weeks, but those teams hired other candidates.

Paul Pasqualoni has stepped down as the Texans’ defensive line coach after just one season because of family reasons, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 (on Twitter). Anthony Weaver, who coached Cleveland’s D-line the past two seasons, could take Pasqualoni’s spot.

The Colts have named Greg Williams their secondary coach, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Williams was San Diego’s assistant secondary coach the previous three seasons.

Changes are coming to the Lions’ strength and conditioning staff, as the club has fired coordinator of physical development Jason Arapoff and assistant strength coach Ted Rath, writes Tim Twentyman of the team’s website.